High price and expectations for Plummer

The Broncos spent $73 million on Wednesday on two free agents - quarterback Jake Plummer and defensive tackle Daryl Gardener - and expectations are a mile high. Read about it in today's story links.

'Snake' to rattle foes of Broncos - Denver Post - Adam Schefter
hursday, March 06, 2003 - Once he decided to become the next player to try to replace John Elway, the first call Jake Plummer made as the Broncos quarterback was to Denver head coach Mike Shanahan. "Coach," the former Arizona Cardinal told Shanahan at about 1 p.m. Wednesday, "I'm going to be a Denver Bronco."

Coach's gamble a big one - Denver Post - Mark Kiszla
Thursday, March 06, 2003 - Guess 40 million bucks does not go quite as far as it once did in the NFL. In their storied careers, Johnny Unitas, Joe Namath and Bart Starr were not paid $40 million. Combined. For that mountainous pile of money, should not your quarterback come fully loaded, with Super Bowl guarantees and legitimate Hall of Fame aspirations?

Hired help arrives - Denver Post - Patrick Saunders
Thursday, March 06, 2003 - In one fell swoop the Denver Broncos got a Plummer and a Gardener. Will that be enough to put the Broncos' house in order? Coach Mike Shanahan is betting it is.

Broncos deal $73 million to duo - Denver Post - Adam Schefter
Thursday, March 06, 2003 - In the biggest one-day spending spree in franchise history, the Denver Broncos shelled out a staggering $73 million worth of contracts that included $18 million worth of signing bonuses - to two players.

Plummer picks Denver despite Bears' big offer - Rocky Mountain News - Lynn DeBruin
March 6, 2003 - Jake "The Snake" Plummer, saying his "heart and gut" told him to sign with Denver, chose the Broncos Wednesday despite an offer of more money up front from Chicago. "I'm ready to get to work, if that means getting the playbook (Wednesday) or (today)," Plummer said moments after agreeing to the seven-year, $40 million deal with Denver.

Putzier recalls early Plummer - Rocky Mountain News - Lee Rasizer
March 6, 2003 - The first time he saw Jake Plummer play quarterback in person, Jeb Putzier was old enough to sit on his grandpa's lap. He might actually have been doing so, in fact. Putzier, the Denver Broncos' second-year tight end, was in seventh grade when he visited his grandfather in Twin Falls, Idaho, and the two watched a skinny prep-All American punter/quarterback dominate the local ranks.

Adams: Is mad scramble over for Broncos? - Rocky Mountain News - Sam Adams
March 6, 2003 - Nip those John Elway comparisons in the bud right now, people. But feel free to play the No. 7 card while talking about new Denver Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer in 2003.

Krieger: Spin might only make Plummer dizzy - Rocky Mountain News - Dave Krieger
March 6, 2003 - I admit this might not be the best time to introduce my Spin Awards. I still don't have a site, or presenters, or even a host, although I'm told you can get David Spade pretty much any time. The first lifetime achievement award is definitely going to Ron Ziegler. I'm just sorry I couldn't get the show together while he was alive to accept it. At the risk of being labeled a homer, I'm pretty sure the local football club will win something, although I'm not sure exactly what.

Elway call to Hall getting closer - Rocky Mountain News - Michael BeDan
March 6, 2003 - John Elway was never going to be Michael Jordan, meaning that when Elway retired, he retired. Which means that about a year from now, Pro Football Hall of Fame voters will send Elway to Canton, Ohio.
The preliminary list of potential inductees was sent to Hall of Fame voters on Tuesday. Elway and former Detroit Lions running back Barry Sanders were the only first-time nominees on the list of more than 100 candidates.

Broncos catch 'Snake' - Daily Camera - Ryan Thorburn
March 6, 2003 - The Denver Broncos are four forgettable seasons removed from winning back-to-back Super Bowls and then watching John Elway ride off into the sunset. And for the second time since the spring of 2001, coach Mike Shanahan has spent a large chunk of Pat Bowlen's change trying to find the championship formula and a replacement for No. 7.

Plummer, Boston bolt Cards - Arizona Republic - Kent Somers
Mar. 6, 2003 - Jake Plummer and David Boston hooked up one last time Wednesday, with both leaving the Cardinals on the same day. Plummer and Boston, a quarterback-receiver duo that was supposed to lift the Cardinals to respectability, left Arizona on Wednesday, wooed by the combination of money and opportunity. The Cardinals did little to keep them. With Plummer, it was because of inconsistency over the past six seasons. With Boston, it was because of questions regarding his lifestyle.

Broncos, Plummer Agree to Terms - DenverBroncos.com - Andrew Mason
March 5, 2003 - "The Snake" is slithering to Denver. Jake Plummer, who is the only man to quarterback the Arizona Cardinals to a postseason win in the last 55 years, will be joining the Broncos after agreeing to terms on a contract on Wednesday.

Position Preview: Running Backs - DenverBroncos.com - Mike Sarro
Mar. 5, 2003 - As the 2003 NFL Draft approaches, DenverBroncos.com will provide a look at some of the top players at each position in this year's draft class. An untold number of future NFL stars will enter the league when they are drafted by NFL clubs this April 26 and 27. Each Wednesday leading up to the draft various Broncos will offer their own thoughts on some of the members of this year's incoming draft class. This week we look at some of the new running backs about to enter the league.